This volume aims at explaining the `high politics` of the Partition, Seventeen renowned scholars look at the complex interplay of historical events during the last years of the British Raj leading to the Parting of ways. They reveal behind-the-scenes activities of the Congress, the Muslim League and the British and how pressures were exerted to arrive at a final settlement. The role of some of the stalwarts who occupied the centre stage is traced. It also brings to focus the attitude of different marginal groups, such as subjects of Princely States, the tribals, the Sikhs and others, towards the political solution.